It was the crack of dawn and still Marvin couldn't sleep. It's been five days now since his peaceful, restful vacation and his nerves wouldn't let him sleep. Groggily and defeated he slowly made his way to the kitchen to make up some type of stimulant, coffee if you will. He slouched on the counter too tired to even hold himself up, but never the less he must go get ready for work. So he woke him self up and- Oh, I guess you all are wondering about why he's sleep deprived, fine I'll tell you…Marvin has been battering back and forth the idea of proposing to Crista! I know it's a tad rushed but, granted, they've known each other for about a year or two now.

In turn his 'nerves of steel' have been shaken to the core with fear. On this hand he loves Crista and knows that he won't find another like her nor might he get another chance like this. Not to mention God approves of him marrying her, he asked Him first hand. And on the other hand he was terrified of rejection and more importantly of her getting cold feet and leaving him. This buzzed inside his skull prohibiting sleep and rest for his brain. And the task in hiding all this from Crista is not easy. So after tripping over K-9 out the door, completely waking himself up now, he left for the palace.

Crista had just finished breakfast and was walking the halls. She quickly found Marvin entering in for his duty. She ran to him like lightning and hugged him tightly.

She looked him up and down, "Good morning honey…You look awful if I might add."

He gave a tired smile, "Thanks. Yeah I didn't get any sleep last night."

Crista, "Again? Marvin it's been the fifth time this week. Is everything ok?"

Marvin, "Yes I'm fine, just a tad restless is all. I'll go to the doctor and get something for it, no need to worry."

She was not buying it, but couldn't express her objection because someone was calling her away, "Ok but make sure you get treatment, I worry."

Marvin, "Don't worry." He kissed her, "I'll see you later."

She ran off and he turned the corner, and once out of sight he slumped over in exhaustion.

'What do I do? What do I do? She's bound to crack me down and figure it out. And even I can't figure it out myself as it is! Letting her find out about this proposal would be problematic to say the least.'

Marvin, "I need to talk to someone about this. Someone with a colorful marriage background and who jumps into things without considering the outcomes."

A light bulb went off! He knew just who.

The doors flew open as he shouted, "My Queen! My Queen!"

Tyr'ahnee turned around to see a distraught Marvin coming towards her.

She caught him, "Slow down Commander, what is the issue?"

He gasped for breath and struggled to get the words out, "Sleepless….nights….fear…marriage…proposal…Crista!"

Tyr'ahnee, "Ok catch your breath and tell me about this…uh..sleepless marriage proposal to Crista?"

He gasped, "No no, for a couple of nights now I've been contemplating whether or not to propose to Crista. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her and I should take this opportunity before it leaves permanently. Is it too soon? And even worse is that, I'm so terrified if she says no or walks out on our wedding day like you-"

He shut his mouth cutting off his babbling trail of thought.

She gave him a sympathetic look, "I understand Marvin. I'm so terribly sorry about our wedding day and how I treated you in the past. I can see it did some serious damage but if you don't pop the question to her you'll heavily regret it for the rest of your life. In my opinion the time is just right for you to marry her, you are in love and young, but not too young as to be stupid. Besides I don't think Crista is that type of woman who will leave you flat, you should know that."

He sighed a sigh of relief, "Thank you my Queen, that helps ease my brain a bit."

Only for a moment though, as he quickly went back into panic mode, "What ring should I get her? Where should I propose and how should I propose? Do you know her ring size?"

She stopped him, "Marvin don't worry about that, go get some sleep so as to clear your head and then calmly approach the situation after you get your rest."

Marvin, in a delirious state started to ramble subconsciously due to his severe exhaustion and stress. He was soon guided toward the doors by guards directed by Tyr'ahnee to escort him to his chamber.

…

Almost a day goes by when Marvin finally woke up from his 'coma'. He was confused as to where he was but soon recognized the spare chamber and adjusted to his surroundings. He remembered the talk with Tyr'ahnee and his sudden onset of panic returned.

Interrupting his trip down memory lane was a knock on the door.

He slurred his words, "Come in."

Crista entered in, the room was dark and musty.

Crista, "Marvin you are finally awake! My goodness you've been asleep for almost a day. Are you feeling better?"

He smiled, then his heart raced at the thought of proposing but he forced it down, "Yes I'm much better now that I got my full amount of rest."

He arose and walked toward her, he pulled her close and supported her back and her neck with each hand. He gazed into her eyes. Lying within them was his answer, the strength, and the will to propose soon came to him. But not here, not now, no, somewhere with perfect meaning.

She smiled beholding his face, "I'm glad you are feeling better. You have me worried more than anything that's been going on in my life, do you know that?"

He looked down and smiled then looked up again, "I'm glad I'm better too, I finally have everything figured out."

She became puzzled at this, "What do you mean?"

Marvin, "Don't worry ok. You'll know very soon."

He kissed her and she gave in. Breaking apart he asked her if she would like to nap with him, smiling she agreed. He led her to the bed and tucked her in. On the other side he hopped in and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. She snuggled into him and he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. He watched her drift of into dream world. Sighing again he fell back into slumber himself.

…

Later Marvin awoke first seeing Crista still asleep. He exited quietly so as not to wake her.

He leaned against the wall conjuring up every memory of Crista and her antics so as to have some sort of clue in how to propose in a style that she'll approve of. He came to the memory of the first time he led her to the cabin in the woods and how she stared out over the lake, captured by it's endless beauty. That's it! That'll be the spot, now about the ring….Ah! He has it! Now to a jeweler.

…

After the energizing nap Crista's day overloaded with strenuous tasks and when she reached her chambers she was tired all over again. Slowly she reached the door and entered in, however she noticed something sitting on the middle of her bed. Approaching it she saw that it was a note and if you flipped it over to the back, it was a letter.

Reading the contents it withheld she found out that Marvin wanted her to meet him at the pink lake next morning. Puzzled even further with him she dropped it on her vanity and got a shower, rolling around the possible scenarios in why he wants her to meet him there at that time. As nighttime crept up Crista couldn't shut her mind up and when she felt that sleep was deprived from her, she finally fell under, unaware.

The next morning, eager and anxious, Crista rapidly got herself together and ran out to meet Marvin. In no time she arrived at the cabin then walked toward the lake. No one was there so she sat at her favorite spot on the bank and waited. Just as she began to think he stood her up, a rustling came from her right side and out came Marvin dressed in formal wear.

She was brimming with questions of his unwonted behavior, but before she could say anything, he kissed her and sat himself down gazing into her eyes.

Suspicious she asked, "Marvin is everything ok?"

Marvin, "I want to say that….I've been thinking…I-I can't do this."

He looked down and away, she grabbed his hand and said, "Go on Marvin it's all going to be ok, just tell me."

He took in a deep breath and calmly spoke, "As you know I haven't been able to sleep lately….It's, because I've been thinking. I brought to my memories all the times we've shared, the good, the bad, and the worst. I even asked for advice about this because I was killing myself to come up with an answer on my own, and as I looked in your eyes yesterday, it all became clear."

He brought himself onto one knee. Crista was in shock, tears started to brim and she covered her mouth with her hands not taking her eyes off him.

He boldly continued, "Princess Crista Kannop II, will you do me the absolute pleasure in becoming my wife?"

Speechless for once she could barely utter, "Yes Marvin…Yes!"

Marvin, "Did you say yes? You said Yes!"

She was squealing in happiness and Marvin was laughing in complete joy. They embraced one another, so happy at this turn of events.

She wiped away her tears and asked, "Where's the ring."

He snapped back to realty, "Hm? Oh yes, it's…"

He searched all over for it, but, couldn't find it.

He chuckled to himself spitefully, "I guess I was so nervous that I forgot to-"

Suddenly something jumped out of the bushes and nearly bowled Marvin over. It was K-9 carrying the key element.

Crista, "Good boy K-9!"

Marvin pet him, "That's my partner."

He slipped the ring on her finger with care. The ring was crimson gold studded with tiny green gems going throughout the band and at the center laid a pink heart. On the inside her name was engraved.

Her eyes shone, "Marvin it's….beautiful."

Marvin, "The crimson gold represents Mars's sky, the green gems signify the forest and the pink stone would be the lake. The heart shape, well that's self explanatory."

Crista, "Marvin that is….no one has..."

He kissed her before she could utter any more words. K-9 barked in joy and soon trampled Crista over covering her with licks. Their laughter rose in the joyous atmosphere.